On May 30 the Illinois House passed a resolution that opens the door to the building's demise.

The resolution cited the discovery of asbestos and lead paint in the building's floor tiles and ceiling pipes. It also referred to a 2001 recommendation from a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team to demolish the Stratton as a way to beautify downtown.

The Stratton's eight floors and nearly 450,000 square feet provide office space to some 900 employees. State representatives, legislative staffers, and the lieutenant governor all work at the Stratton. The Department of Central Management Services, the Public Building Commission, and the Property Tax Appeals Board are among the many state agencies based there.

Some with offices at the Stratton bellyache about its poor ventilation and lack of electrical outlets. Brauer notes that one of his legislative aides "has a power strip plugged into another power strip."

Despite the lengthy list of grievances, Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, says the state is too financially strapped to take action. A rehabilitation of the Stratton would reportedly cost some $75 million; replacing the building could cost twice that amount.